City back-tax collections bring in $63 million

An aggressive effort begun under former Mayor John F. Street to collect back taxes has fattened city and school district coffers by $63 million.

The goal now is to collect $69 million more from 17,469 property owners who have yet to pay up, according to the tax-collection firm the city hired, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson. Last week, the firm mailed notices urging those delinquent taxpayers to make payment arrangements or settle accounts before foreclosure steps begin.

The firm sent an initial round of notices to 23,000 property owners in September 2007. Since then, the city has collected on 5,600 delinquent properties that are now paid in full and on 31,000 liens. The money is to be split between the city and the Philadelphia School District. - Marcia Gelbart